Black Panther, a socio-political Marvel

The third biggest box office in American film history, Black Panther stars the first ever Afro-American superhero, T’Challa, in a conflict that threatens the destiny of the kingdom he inherited from his father, all in blockbuster form. If you missed out on the Marvel phenomenon this year, here are three great reasons to go and see Black Panther at the Cinéma de la Plage, in the company of its director Ryan Coogler.

For its activist message

Black Panther dispenses with the conventions of the superhero film in addressing political and social themes, through the story of the people of Wakanda, a fictional African country endowed with ultra-advanced technology. Throw in a few subtle references to the movements that marked the history of Afro-Americans, from the Black Panther revolution in 1966 to the Black Lives Matter activists or the "Oscars So White" movement, which challenged the absence of Black actors among the Oscar nominees in 2015.

For its ambiguous villain

Black Panther's sworn enemy is Eric Killmonger, a villain deeply affected by the extreme violence he witnessed as an infant. Having grown up without a father, he soon came face to face with racial minorities and saw the Los Angeles riots in the 1990s at first hand, which led him to want to take power to end oppression. Played by Michael B. Jordan, he is probably the most charismatic villain produced by the Marvel studios.

For the role it gives to women

Acclaimed for its gender angle, Black Panther gives a central role to women – superheroines who devote their powers to serving T’Challa, played by Chadwick Boseman, to protect him from danger. These courageous and independent female roles are played by actresses Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright and Danai Gurira.

Black Panther, a socio-political Marvel

The third biggest box office in American film history, Black Panther stars the first ever Afro-American superhero, T’Challa, in a conflict that threatens the destiny of the kingdom he inherited from his father, all in blockbuster form. If you missed out on the Marvel phenomenon this year, here are three great reasons to go and see Black Panther at the Cinéma de la Plage, in the company of its director Ryan Coogler.

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